But first: A surprisingly voluble ('characterized by a ready and continuous flow of words; fluent; glib; talkative') Karl Rove gave The Politico his only sit-down interview since he disclosed his surprising departure plan to Paul Gigot. Also look for exclusive Rove comments in the world's most essential magazine, out later this week. The outgoing senior adviser certainly doesn't see himself as Calamity Karl. Apparently undiminished, he's himself: optimistic, even brash; unapologetic; eager to give advice that people may or may not take; rambling on about health savings accounts and the New Deal and the demography of the Southwest; pondering the exact definition of a 'generation': and already gaming out '08 and '10 and '12. BTW, he seems to like Obama, although he's convinced HRC will be the nominee. Rove says he made the basic decision to leave a year ago and ever since then, it's been a matter of timing. He predicted Bush will score more victories in Congress, and will make other durable changes to government on his own. He says history will treat the President 'kindly,' although they both realize they may not live to see it.

Breaking some news here: NBC's David Gregory, who has covered Bush longer than any White House correspondent besides Ken Herman, will grill Rove as guest moderator of 'Meet the Press' on Sunday. Sorry, Philippe, not 'the full hour.' You'll see Karl elsewhere on Sunday, too.

P.S. Look for Sen. McCain on 'The Daily Show' on Thursday.

ALSO FOR YOUR RADAR SCREEN:

1) NEW ROMNEY AD, 'THANKS, IOWA': 'If there's ever been a time that we needed to see change in Washington, it's now. First of all, I want to strengthen our military and then strengthen our economy and strengthen our families. I will secure our border, and amnesty will not work. I want to strengthen marriage. Keep our taxes down, keep government small. And keep America always the hope of the earth. Change begins in Iowa and change begins today. Thank you so very much! I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message.'

'Drawing a sharp contrast with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his main rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama said in an interview that he has the capacity she may lack to unify the country and move it out of what he called 'ideological gridlock.' ... 'Her argument is going to be that 'I'm the experienced Washington hand,' and my argument is going to be that we need to change the ways of Washington,' he said. 'That's going to be a good choice for the American people.' ... Obama never used the term 'polarizing' to describe Clinton but made it clear he has studied polls that show that many people have an unfavorable opinion of her. ... Asked for a reaction to Obama's comments, Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson said by e-mail: 'It's unfortunate that Senator Obama is turning away from the politics of hope and employing attack politics instead.''

DON'T MISS THE LAST TWO GRAFS: 'During the interview, Obama softened his attacks on Washington lobbyists. He and former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) take no money from Washington lobbyists, while Clinton does, and both have sharply criticized the power of lobbyists in shaping policies harmful to average Americans. 'The insurance and drug companies can have a seat at the table in our health-care debate; they just can't buy all the chairs,' he said. 'My argument is not that they are the source of all evil. My argument is that things are out of balance in Washington and that their influence is disproportionate.''